Our Space Future Depends on What We Teach Kids Today

What does it take to turn today's elementary school students into tomorrow's space workforce?In this episode of the Spacepower Podcast, SFA Founder and host Bill Woolf sits down with Col. Eric Zarybniski, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space Access at Space Systems Command, and Dr. Emily Zarybniski, a 2026 Space Foundation International Teacher Liaison, to explore one of the most critical, and often overlooked challenges in maintaining space superiority: education.Every Guardian, every engineer, every mission planner who will defend and expand America's presence in space started somewhere. A teacher who made it click. A concept that sparked curiosity. A moment when space stopped being abstract and became possible.The pipeline from K-12 classrooms to national security capability is longer than most people realize, and more fragile. Today's students touch space 50 times a day through GPS, streaming video, weather apps, and communication networks. But most have no idea how deeply connected they are to the domain, or that careers in space exist beyond astronauts.In this conversation, Col. and Dr. Zarybniski discuss:Why K-12 space education is a matter of national security, not just workforce developmentWhat gets students genuinely excited about space careers (hint: it starts with Diet Coke and Mentos)The critical difference between STEM and STEAM—and why artists, designers, and creative thinkers belong in the space enterpriseHow to reach students before they've decided "space isn't for me" or "I'm not good at math"What it's like to explain quantum physics on neighborhood walks and thermodynamics at the dinner tableWhy the Space Foundation's International Teacher Liaison Program matters for building the next generationHow military families balance launching rockets to orbit and teaching kids who will one day design themThe reality of being a Guardian in 2026, and why more people still ask "Is the Space Force real?"What parents and educators can do right now to inspire the space-native generationFrom classroom experiments to mission director decisions at Cape Canaveral, this episode connects the dots between inspiring young minds and delivering combat-ready space capabilities. Because the Space Force of 2040 is sitting in fourth grade classrooms right now.Hosted by Bill WoolfProduced by Ty HollidayGuests:Col. Eric Zarybniski, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space Access, Space Systems CommandHe leads the acquisition, development, and operation of the $13.5 billion National Security Space Launch programs, delivering critical payloads to orbit from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.Dr. Emily Zarybniski, 2026 Space Foundation International Teacher LiaisonShe is one of 38 elite educators selected globally to inspire the next generation of space professionals through hands-on STEAM education in elementary and middle school classrooms.Learn more about Space Systems Command: https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Learn more about the U.S. Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil/Join SFA: https://ussfa.org/Subscribe for more conversations on spacepower, national security, and the future of the space domain.